Book Reviews

BOOK RE

VIEWS

by Christl Hughes MBE

Ca reer Ma na gement for Lawy ers

Rachel Brushfield The Law Society 2019

Not another book by a Career Coach! Yes but this one is a bit different.

Despite the title the book is mainly aimed at solicitors and in my view more at women then men in that for example the majority of the Role Models featured are female and there is good and realistic coverage of part time/flexible working and returning after a maternity/caring break. That said the three day week is no longer an issue solely for women – it is increasingly embraced by male GP doctors for example.

Image CV preparation, willingness to drive forward and take risks (difficult for all lawyers who are trained to spot snags), resilience after rejection, developing your personal brand are all covered together with Questionnaires and pages on Action Planning.

But the most interesting chapter is the first one which addresses the sadly very high attrition rate for lawyers particularly but not exclusively female. Chapter 1 entitled “Lawyers and Career Change” actually acknowledges that those who give up legal practice have not failed but have instead discovered that legal professional training imbues transferable skills and strengths that are much in demand outside the law. Yes it may be time to consider eg moving from private practice into in-house or the Government Legal Service for example (although I am not sure that the traditional partnership model has gone completely “mouldy” as the author suggests) but there are other options. Under “Useful Career Resources” what is available from The Law Society is recited and AWSL*** gets a mention as one of the recommended organisations for networking, learning from peers, mentoring etc.

Finally for the involuntary job seeker there is a paragraph on the LawCare Helpline which of course offers confidential advice on everything from redundancy to alcoholism. If I have a criticism it is that there is no mention of the Solicitors’ Assistance Scheme * for those affected by regulatory issues or SBA The Solicitors’ Charity** for (financially eligible) solicitors unable to work due to illness or needing assistance seeking a job.

At just 102 pages including Appendix and Index this a very useful, readable book and I highly recommend it.

*https://www.thesas.org.uk/ **https://www.sba.org.uk/ ***Association of Women Solicitors London

Th e Tria l of Rona ld Li ght Th e Green Bicyc le Ca se

ISBN 978-1- 911273-76-9

This short selection of materials is available in both hardback and e-book format and may be the last word on this case. Edited by Sally Smith QC the items include a full transcript of the Trial at Leicester Castle over the 3 days 9 th to 11 th June 1920 from entry of the Judge Sir Thomas Gardner Horridge (heralded by trumpets) through the theatrical performance by defence counsel Sir Edward Marshall Hall KC to the Foreman of the Jury announcing “Not Guilty”.

Additional material includes a transcript of the Inquest conducted by the Coroner Mr George E Bouskell 3 days after the crime.

So after 100 years what is the Editor’s final view? It is of course “The jury is still out. And probably always will be.”